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Although some methods have been proposed to measure the absolute importance of landslide predisposing factors, they are unfortunately complicated by inherent difficulties. In this study, a robust analytical index -- 'decisiveness,' is proposed for measuring factor absolute importance. The idea is to evaluate factor importance according to the capability of differentiating landslide-susceptible and landslideinsusceptible areas; that is, those factors that can zone the target area into units either highly favorable or highly unfavorable to landslides will be of high importance for landslides. For a specific factor, the favorability values of all grid cell units in the target area are first calculated using the certainty factor method. Then, the magnitudes of all those favorability values are integrated to constitute the decisiveness index. The decisiveness ranges within [0, 1], with higher values indicating greater importance. Updated versions of the open software ALSA can be used to calculate favorability values and further decisiveness. The significance and robustness of decisiveness were validated in a case study. Although decisiveness has been proposed to measure the factor importance for landslides, the novel idea and index can also be used to evaluate the importance of factors in determining the spatial distribution of other objects or phenomena. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past 50 years, intentional genetic selection within the broiler industry has led to major improvements in both body weight gain (BWG) and feed conversion efficiency. Next to its economic advantages, enhancing BWG can increase the risk of metabolic and skeletal disorders. The aim of this study was to examine whether higher BWG is a predisposing factor for broiler necrotic enteritis. In this study, 300 broilers were challenged with Clostridium perfringens using a well-established, previously described challenge model. It was found that birds with higher body weight (BW) and BWG before challenge were predisposed to develop more severe necrotic enteritis lesions. After challenge, the average BWG of the birds developing mild to severe lesions dropped significantly, negatively affecting bird welfare and performance. These results show a significant interplay between BWG and the development of necrotic enteritis lesions. This raises the question whether there is a limit to broiler performance with respect to maintaining intestinal health, and whether decreasing BWG (at certain stages of the growth cycle) can be part of a plan to prevent intestinal pathology. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS Higher body weight is a predisposing factor to necrotic enteritis in broilers [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Candidaemia is an emerging problem and one of the most important nosocomial infections in many hospitals. The aim of this study was to characterize the epidemiology and patient outcomes of candidemia after cardiac surgery at two medical centers in Iran over a nine-year period. A retrospective analysis was conducted reviewing the medical records of all patients who underwent surgical treatment of cardiac disease at two medical centers. Demographic data, comorbidities, surgical procedure, length of hospital stay, odds ratio and annual trend for candidemia in cardiosurgical cases were collected and analyzed. Candidemia was responsible for 1.78% cases of total cardiac surgeries (23,849) in two hospitals. Data showed an overall declining trend for the incidence of candidemia during the study period, so that decreased from 3.81% in 2003–2004 to 0.52% in 2011–2012 (P <.01). The odds ratio was significantly downward (from 1 to 0.14, P <.01). Candidemia had a direct relationship with patiant age, and the mean age was 64.2 years. A remarkable gender difference skewed towards males was observed, and the male/female ratio among candidemia cases <60 and ≥65 years old was 0.82 and 1.79, respectively. Housewives had the highest rate of infection (34.91%). Coronary Artery Bypass Graft was the most common type of surgical intervention. Majority of candidemia patients (89.2%) had risk factor and the most common comorbidities were diabetes. Mean total hospital stay was 17.34 ± 4.69 days. This study expands the knowledge of the epidemiology and trend of incidence of candidemia in cardiosurgical cases. The survey provides preliminary baseline data for the future monitoring of candidemia, and effective programs for controlling and preventive strategies against the disease in hospitals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unipolar depression is undoubtedly the most common affective disorder, but recently the role of bipolar disorders has become more and more significant. The aim of the study was to improve the detection of mood elevations by careful anamnestic assessment, especially family history and psychosocial functional skills. A sample, screened for depression, of 430 primary care patients and 423 psychiatric patients aged 18-64 were interviewed in 1991-1992 using the Present State Examination. Anamnestic information was obtained by questionnaire and interview. Participants were re-contacted in 1998-1999. Experienced lifetime mood elevation was assessed in the follow-up study using the main criteria of the ICD-10 in a telephone interview by three research psychiatrists. Patient's smoking, suicidality in the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAM-D), problems in making contact with the opposite sex when a teenager, and mental problems in either of the parents when the patient was ≤15 years were associated with experienced lifetime mood elevation. Quick and easy questions about smoking and difficulties in making contact with the opposite sex may improve the detection of mood elevation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Controversy continues to exist as to whether Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is a psychological/psychiatric disorder. To further understand this condition the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) conducted a Surveillance Study. The CDC partitioned 565 subjects with fatiguing illnesses into four diagnostic groups, one of which met the 1988 CDC criteria for CFS. The non-CFS groups had either insufficient severity (idiopathic), medical exclusions or prior psychiatric disorders. Objectives: The present study reports on the psychiatric features in that study, estimates the time of onset of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and looks for possible relationships between 1988 CDC criteria for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and psychiatric disorders. Methods: The study design is cross-sectional. The Diagnostic Interview Schedule (DIS) assessed for four Axis I psychiatric disorders. Time of onset ofMDDwas estimated from the DIS and validated by an examination of the medical records. Odds ratios and confidence intervals were calculated as tests of association between 1988 CDC criteria and psychiatric disorders. Results: Subjects classified as CFS and non-CFS had similar rates of psychiatric disorders. A minority of subjects had preexisting MDD. Three 1988 CDC criteria were associated with current MDD whilst no criteria were associated with prior MDD. Conclusions: CFS subjects did not demonstrate any unique patterns of psychiatric disorders. MDD may not be an important predisposing factor for CFS or the other fatiguing illnesses. Some 1988 CDC criteria may be preferentially endorsed by subjects with current MDD. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]